Hermione Granger slumped into a seat in the Potions Laboratory. It was the start of July and she couldn't remember the classroom being so hot in all the years she had been at Hogwarts. Dull, pale sunlight shone in, filtered through the dirty archaic windows. It was the hottest summer Scotland had seen in fifty years and the wood burning beneath the cauldrons was not helping. She took a deep breath; the scents of dried potions ingredients flooded her senses.
"Taking a break, Miss Granger?" a familiar, silky voice came from behind her. She whirled around in her chair to see Professor Snape stroll through the laboratory door. The heat outside wasn't stopping him from wearing heavy black robes. Hermione had opted for a more casual look, whether Snape liked it or not. She was positive she was more comfortable in her khaki colored capris and powder blue shirt, than a full length Hogwarts robe. School was not in session, and she didn't see a reason for formal attire.
It was the summer between her sixth and seventh years, and at the end of the term, she had made last minute plans with Professor Snape to intern with him over the summer holidays. They both saw it as an excellent opportunity for Hermione to learn some advanced Potion making. She had decided at the beginning of her sixth year that she would like to work with Potions in one way or another. There was even going to be an opening at Beauxbatons over the next few years.
"No, of course not, Professor." Hermione jumped to her feet and stepped in front of her cauldron, casually tossing in some roots.
"I should hope not." Snape said bitterly. "I would hate to think I've wasted my summer holiday by spending it at Hogwarts with a bludger."
'I'd hate to think I wasted my summer holiday with a nasty prat.' Hermione thought to herself while stirring her potion fiercely.
"I've receive an order, from the Ministry of Magic." Snape said casually, as he leaned against the cabinet close to Hermione.
"An order for what, Professor?" she asked, as she counted Gillyweed roots.
"An extremely powerful potion, it is not to be discussed outside this room, Miss Granger."
"I understand." Hermione said, while thinking, 'Just tell me what it is, you greasy git!'
"They've requested a Tempus Novo potion."
"A potion to change time?" Hermione asked, her mouth gaping open.
"Yes." Snape said dryly, as he opened a cupboard and removed a few ingredients.
"I've read about that. It's only been correctly brewed twice."
"Well I suppose this will be the third." Snape said. He reached into his layers of black robes and pulled out a clear vial. Inside was sparkling white dust. "Tempus Sand." He announced, and placed it on the counter next to her.
"Why does the Ministry of Magic need a potion to move through time?" she foolishly asked.
"I don't believe its any of your concern Miss Granger, other then aiding me through the steps of it." The Potions Master said sternly, his voice reflecting no kindness. "Heaven knows I can't ask anyone else, seeing as everyone else in your year is a waste of perfectly useable oxygen."
Was that a compliment?
"However, if you must know," Snape continued, "I believe they're planning to go back in time to see if they can do something about the Dark Lord."
"Oh." Hermione said simply, and turned back to cutting a Shrivelfig.
"The whole idea is absolutely ridiculous, in my opinion. You cannot change history." Snape said softly as he focused on something far away, as if reminiscing of something that should have been long forgotten.
Hermione and the professor spent the next few weeks taking their time with the Tempus Novo Potion. They spent painstaking hours carefully cutting ingredients to exact measurements and pouring liquids perfectly, not wasting a drop.
"Those Mana-leaves should be cut in two and one quarter centimeter squares, Miss Granger." He said one balmy summer evening. "You've been cutting them in two and one half squares."
"I'm sorry Professor." She said weakly.
"Do you want to work in the Potions field or not, Miss Granger?" he said smoothly, his dark eyes staring into hers.
"Yes sir." She said, dropping her gaze.
"Then you need to pay more attention to detail." He pulled his glossy black wand from inside his robes. "Evanesco." Snape said, pointing his wand at her pile of mana-leaves. They disappeared with a small sparkle.
Hermione winced slightly.
"Do it again, Miss Granger."
Finally on the night of August the thirteenth, the potion was complete.
"How will we know if it works?" Hermione asked.
"It works." Snape said quickly, stirring the electric blue liquid. "You should be quite proud Miss Granger. Most wizards who have been practicing the science of Potion making for a century can't brew potions half as complex as this.
"I am very proud, Professor." Hermione smiled. "Thank you for allowing me to assist you with it."
"I'll deliver it to the Ministry first thing in the morning." He said, casually cracking his neck with a soft pop.
Hermione continued smiling. Very few students had the opportunity to see Professor Snape doing something as mundane and getting a crick out of his neck. "I'm just going to add a few things to my Restorative Draught."
"Very well, then." Snape headed for the doorway. He glanced back at the sixteen year old girl, as if contemplating what to say before disappearing out the door.
Hermione wasn't exactly sure what time it was when the torch in the lab finally burned out, but the moon was high in the sky. She mumbled something under her breath, annoyed she was left alone in the dark in Snape's classroom.
Where was her wand?
She remembered leaving it near the Tempus Novo potion earlier. She held her hands out in front of her and stumbled through the dark classroom towards the cauldron on the opposite end.
After tripping over several chairs and desks she came to the cauldron. It was very close, she could smell it.
Just a little further.....
She reached out and leaned over, feeling around the table before grabbing the slender cool wooden wand.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and took another step forward, happy to have her wand. She lost her footing, tripping over a small stool. She went down face first and held her hands up to guard her face. As she fell she thought to grab a hold of the table the Potion was brewing on. She stretched out a hand and it collided with the pewter potion. She fell on the stone floor and shut her eyes tightly as the cauldron hit her hard in the head, spilling its electric blue contents all over the sixteen year old girl. The liquid was icy cold, despite being over a fire for the past month and as it splashed in Hermione's face she involuntarily gasped and the liquid seeped into her mouth. She couldn't see anything but she could taste the potion. It tasted like snow, cold and flavorless.
She then felt dizzy and lightheaded and watched the room spin around her as if she were teleporting by portkey.
Hermione then blacked out for a moment. When she opened her eyes again, she was in the potions lab. It looked different somehow. It was day time. Sunlight streaked in through the small windows. How long had she been unconscious? It only felt like a moment. She collected herself from the floor, clutching her wand. She looked down at her clothing expecting to see the blue potion all over herself. She was clean.
Something very odd must have happened. She needed to see Professor Snape. She cringed at the thought of what he might do to her when he found out she spilled the Tempus Novo potion.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the voice of a young guy.
"Where did you come from?" he asked.
Hermione spun around to see who was talking to her. Standing in front of a small pewter cauldron was a boy about her age. His dark eyes stared into her as he brushed a greasy black strand of hair from his face.
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